Press Release
Stephen Berry

No to Food Regulations – From Both Sides of the Spectrum

“I am supportive of the objections raised by the Green party toward the Food Bill being pushed by the National Government,” says Independent candidate for Tamaki, Stephen Berry. “However, unlike the Green party I am consistent in my objections to food regulations and oppose their demands for a tough labelling regime as well.”

Berry agrees with critics of the Food Bill that proposed regulatory regime regarding food growth and supply will destroy farmers markets and small produce businesses. “Individuals absolutely have a right to trade freely with other individuals without the National Government getting involved. Your consensual trade with another is none of the Government’s business!”

“This proposed bill has a number of clauses and loosely defined sections that could result in mass destruction of individual liberty using something we all rely on to live; food. There aren’t many more effective ways for a state to make individuals totally reliant on currying the favour of officials and bureaucrats.”

Stephen Berry is as hostile toward these proposed food regulations being put forward by the Government as he is toward those being advocated by the Green party. “I find it disturbingly ironic that the Green party is fighting against the Food Bill, yet demanding a slurry of other regulations including country of origin labelling and nutritional information. The Green’s would give farmers markets a respite by stopping the Food Bill and then stab them in the back by requiring every product to be labelled ‘Grown in New Zealand’ with fat and sugar content.”

“Consumer’s claiming they have a right to know what is in their food are taking the moral low road to finding out. It isn’t necessary for consumers to use the force of the law to get nutritional and country of origin information on their food. All they have to do is choose not to purchase products which do not display the information they want, then the market will respond to consumer demand. This way the costs of production and therefore cost of food products is not artificially increased by more Government regulation.”

Stephen Berry is the only candidate in Tamaki who applies to concepts of individual freedom and personal responsibility to all issues in this election. Berry is the only candidate that believes Government is usually the problem rather than the solution. Voters in Tamaki who consider liberty to be the most important issue in this election should cast their electorate vote for Stephen Berry, Independent.

Ends

© Scoop Media